Madam Reverie

Eating nothing but fresh air for the first few days will do that to a person. Certainly did it for me. Caveat - everyone is different - but for me, I didn't become a 'normal' person, until I hit puree's and then, this was only half normal. Full normal came back when I was on solids and could introduce a few carbs and some proper meat Protein. Now, I have a 2.5hr window of 'normal' post a meal/snack and then when the food wears off, its like my battery has run flat. I have to be careful of this now. Hang in there - its going to take a while to find your groove. As Kathy says - have a little nap whenever you can. sleep is a wonderful thing

Yes, I can totally relate to that, as I often obsess with things that are super important to me. I read a very interesting comment here, I do not remember the topic or the user, but she said that she is "playing" this weird game where she tries to take in all her Protein needs but with the least calories possible, every day little bit less and less and working out more and more, and I have found it very interesting. I mean after long years of abuse and really not careing about our bodies suddenly it becomes our first priority...fascinating ... That sounds like swapping one obsession for another.. Not a bad obsession to have, in fairness. As long as its not the other end of the pendulum. Obesity and Anorexia. Two sides of the same coin.

Absolutely not. Have at it. As long as you're not getting smashed out of your mind (because alcohol dehydrates and can take a while to work out of your system) and its just a feed of mexican food (hopefully the balanced good stuff), it will not throw your pre-op diet off. I was reliably informed by my bariatric nurse, the pre-op diet is to stop those who are chuffing down multiple bottles of booze and eating fried everything daily. A week before surgery I went out on the lash (drinking) with some gusto about 7 days before surgery. The night before surgery I had pizza, chicken tenders and a coke. I was given permission to do so.. That being said, however, i was a relatively low BMI starter, so the liver shrinking wasn't such a pressing issue for me. Whats your BMI right now? If my BMI was very high, I might not consider having the alcohol and just have the dinner. If you moderate your intake, so you're not a total glutton (maybe max 4 drinks, with Water in between and some food), it should be all good by Monday. Just be mindful as previously stated; it might mess with your head a bit after you get sleeved. I definitely mourned what I could no longer have in the short term. But then in saying that, this could be seen as a little food funeral (and EVERYONE, has had some form of that). I say go for it. In three days your world is going to change. Dramatically. Enjoy

As others have stated.. I am happy with what I've achieved. However, the obsessive tendencies which develop through this process can become addictive in their own right. You did something so dramatic, that anything less than perfection will not do.... Mix that with the really bloody-minded 'I have to achieve' attitude, which I tend to have... and it results in the daily mantra; 'I have to get these last 23lbs off GODDAMNNIT! MOVE scale, MOVE!!!!!'

Its all practice makes perfect

Agree with all the above. Particularly the bit about changing or alternating your drugs. I was put on lanzaprole (sp/ph) - or something similar when I left the hospital. Within a couple of days, I went on Omeprazole as I was drowning in my own bile. Like, seriously drowning in it. Go back to your doctor and get them to swap out your PPI. I take one in the morning, sometimes one in the evening and I'm all good. Without them.. I'd be in trouble. Apparently the acid can ease after 6-12 months, as the stomach relaxes a bit. Sometimes it doesn't and a RNY is required as a follow up surgery to get rid of it if it is truly very very bad. I'm not freaking out yet, as I can go a couple of days without a PPI if I'm careful with my diet. On this basis, I'm assuming I should be okay (fingers crossed) when my stomach gives a bit.. (which it is starting to). Hang in there.

No, on occasion people will hear it. Sometimes when it happens to me, my partner gives me a funny look and the bursts out laughing if its particularly loud. It happens when I glug fluids too quickly. I try not to do that in front of people for this very reason. It can be kinda embarrassing.

Small hole. Fluids and gases moving up and down through small hole. Voila. Noises that sound like a drain.

I've been in a stall for over 5 weeks. Whilst you're stalling, you need to measure yourself. Your body is doing weird things. Like shrinking. Get the tape measure out. Stalls aren't nice, but they appear to follow a pattern. I have found that I stalled at week 3, stalled at the BMI 31 point (which is practically the same weight as you are stalling at, Sandy) and have stalled at 198-199 for the past 5 weeks. Its like my body is actively resisting moving beyond the 'onederland' point. Aint nothing you can do apart from hang on in there. It will come off. Least I hope it's bloomin' gonna! More Protein and more Water.

Try and stay away from butter and cheese and sugar. All of these things are triggers for dumping syndrome (which is full evacuation of your bowels at the speed of light). They also can stimulate over-production of saliva, which can make your stomach feel gripey and lead to the slimes (over-production of white sputum) and vomit. Keep things clean, unprocessed and light on the seasoning. Tastes like badgers arse and will drive you to distraction at the end of the phase, but its better that than heaving. For now give your stomach a rest.. Maybe two days of blandsville (plain yoghurt/protein shakes (if you can take the artificial sweetener) and very basic bland soups. From here, you can take a very small mouthful of something. Mull it around. Leave it. Let your stomach talk to you and see if you can take a wee bit more. Trial and error. Try not to worry, you'll get there

I'd say after the first 3 small mouthfuls, a good minute - 1 minute 30 seconds. A good bit longer when you start to hit the solids. Because those beasts hit like a brick. Save 30-40 minutes to eat your food. Even if you only get a few bites in, give yourself a wee bit more time and a bit more notice. Listen to your sleeve. (Or in my case, it was listening to my sternum) You knew what went wrong today- in that you got too hungry and ate it a bit too quickly. We've all done it. Trial and error until you find your groove. I'm approaching 6 months and I've only just found my groove and even then, I can try something and think 'Whooooa.. no baby, no more of you is going into my mouth!' This is largely fatty and sugary stuff, so I'm lucky in that respect. I know that at 7 bites (of pretty much most things), I'll be nigh-on full. So i stop, mull things over and if I want more, I'll wait a little bit more then give it a try. More often than not, the last bite is most definitely the last one!!! Don't worry about the 'full feeling'. It will be with you presently!!! What you need to focus on right now is making the right choices for the small capacity you have and sustaining your energy, Water and Protein levels. Listen to your body and you'll get there.

If the hospital gave you a PPI - I suggest you take it. The smells and how delicious they are, are all in your head. Trust me, you would not feel very groovy putting whatever it is in your mouth right now! You're doing fine. Try and block your nasel passages, take your PPI, drink your Water, make your way home quickly and rest. Rest well

Recycled has a point, my dear. I appreciate people can have a myriad of conditions which make them gain weight.. But if it's not related to food, how comes you're considering bariatric surgery? Surely if it was something medical, they'd be giving you alternative therapies - not suggest having your stomach cut out? That aside - welcome to the madness

One bite. Chew. Swallow. Wait. One bite. Chew. Swallow. Wait. Ad infinitum prevents ad nauseam.

Yep, that's me too... If I didn't take it, I would be drowning in it.. I smoke, too.. We're bad girls

Worked for me. I think those photos are cool!

You could say health and safety have discovered mice or suspect mice on the premises and as a consequence, ALL foodstuffs need to be retained in cupboards and locked draws for the foreseeable future. it'd get it out of your face. Maybe I'm a bit oldskool here, but you're in an office. Not a pantry party. Having foodstuffs lying around willy-nilly is not the way to go. If they want it - put it in your desk - your own assigned space. Or better still - in a fridge. The woman who is bringing it in is only dishing them out to salve her own guilt from chowing down on them. Just my thoughts on the matter....

Sorry you're having a hard time, but you know what you have to do. Throw that crap out of the house, own your surgery, own your accountability to it as an adult, put your head down, grit your teeth and attack this. Mealy-mouthed whinging will get you no where - and you know that. It might get a few platitudinous pats on the back of 'there, there, it'll be okay'.. But you already know... If you put crap in, you'll get crap out. Simple mathematics.

If anyone has had this, would you mind sharing your experience of it. Cost, recovery time, technique used, pluses/minuses, etc. This saggy, flat-butted individual is mulling things over.....

Whaddya mean there's no volume in Scotland?! We're all the volume required, darlink; just the two of us As for the international conference aspect? Yeah, I could go for a bit of that.. Just as long as everyone had badges detailing their internet names. And it was made mandatory to wear them. Why? Well, when the fur starts flying, I want to be able to identify the main parties, recount what had 'gone down' accurately and whilst happily chomping on my protein-rich popcorn and sipping my diet margaritas, I could take bets on the 'favourite' of the day. Win: Win Just for you sweetie I will wear a placard saying that I said it, I did it, I'm sorry..as I walk into the room....Better to be humble from the get go you know then let others take you out. Would love to see you and all the of the others that have helped me along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome Rev. Aww, loves ya. You have no need for a placard, darling - unless it says simply 'Wonderful RJ'. I could have a field day creating some for a few others though.... S'okay. You can sit next to me and help me collect the bets, chomp the popcorn and drink the margaritas. How does that sound?

Whaddya mean there's no volume in Scotland?! We're all the volume required, darlink; just the two of us As for the international conference aspect? Yeah, I could go for a bit of that.. Just as long as everyone had badges detailing their internet names. And it was made mandatory to wear them. Why? Well, when the fur starts flying, I want to be able to identify the main parties, recount what had 'gone down' accurately and whilst happily chomping on my protein-rich popcorn and sipping my diet margaritas, I could take bets on the 'favourite' of the day. Win: Win Volume? Volume? Between the two of us. we've lost a good sized person (we could take them with us to the conference...) Now if you're talking quality then of course that's a different story... but let's not talk hair volume, lmao!!!! Play on words chickadee.. I was referring to our audible volume! And yes! DON'T MENTION THE HAIR!

That, is an awesome result. You must be elated.

Whaddya mean there's no volume in Scotland?! We're all the volume required, darlink; just the two of us As for the international conference aspect? Yeah, I could go for a bit of that.. Just as long as everyone had badges detailing their internet names. And it was made mandatory to wear them. Why? Well, when the fur starts flying, I want to be able to identify the main parties, recount what had 'gone down' accurately and whilst happily chomping on my protein-rich popcorn and sipping my diet margaritas, I could take bets on the 'favourite' of the day. Win: Win

Morphine (or coming down off it) makes your skin itch, too. Has your scratching made it worse?

Just remember - out of the 300-500 questions, there are going to be some that are identical or of a 'theme', just written in a different way. Try to remember what you selected on the first question and replicate (to a degree) the same answer on the second one. So... If the first question is 'I often feel like I am alone' and you select 'never'. When it comes to the re-worded version, which might be written like this 'I enjoy past times where I am on my own, instead of being with people' (or something equally trite), you might select 'sometimes'... This would be 'normal' as everyone wants everyone to bugger off and leave them alone sometimes! Reading a book for example, is not a 'group' activity! Try to keep a clear head and be mindful of the alarm bell clanging questions such as 'I have no control'... 'I often think about death'... etc. etc. You'll be fine